Blog | Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski & Zavell

What Should Illinois Condo Boards Know About Conflicts of Interest?

2026-09-28 00:00:00

Illinois condominium association boards should know that a conflict of interest is not always illegal, but hiding one is a problem. A conflict of interest exists whenever a board member's personal or financial interest could influence a decision they make on behalf of the association. Illinois law does not ban those situations outright. It requires disclosure, a specific process, and in some cases a vote by the unit owners.

If your condo board has a conflict of interest in 2026, Arlington Heights, IL, condominium association lawyers can help you handle it properly.

What Duty Do Illinois Condo Board Members Owe the Association?

Illinois condominium board members owe fiduciary duties to the unit owners. Under 765 ILCS 605/18.4, officers and board members must exercise the care owed by a fiduciary to the unit owners, whether appointed by the developer or elected by the owners.

What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action in Illinois?

2026-09-14 00:00:00

A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses a family suffers after losing a loved one, while a survival action seeks compensation for what the deceased person personally went through between the injury and their death. Illinois allows both types of claims to be filed together after the same tragic event. If your family is facing loss due to someone else’s negligence in 2026, our Cook County personal injury lawyers can help you understand what each claim can recover.

What Does the Illinois Wrongful Death Act Cover?

Under 740 ILCS 180/2, Illinois allows a deceased person's surviving spouse and next of kin to recover damages caused by a wrongful death. This claim focuses on what the surviving family members have lost, not what the deceased person experienced directly. A court-appointed representative of the estate typically files this claim on behalf of the surviving spouse, children, or other close relatives.

How Should an Illinois HOA Handle a Dispute Over Architectural Changes?

2026-08-19 00:00:00

An Illinois HOA should handle an architectural change dispute in a few key ways. The board should review its governing documents. It should communicate clearly with the homeowner involved. It should also follow a fair, consistent process before taking any enforcement action.

These disputes can quickly become emotional on both sides. If your association is facing this type of dispute in 2026, our Arlington Heights, IL homeowner association lawyers can help you navigate the situation fairly and effectively.

What Authority Does an Illinois HOA Have Over Architectural Changes?

Many Illinois homeowners associations have rules about changes you can make to the outside of your home. The association usually gets its power to approve or limit these changes from its declaration and other governing documents.

What Should Illinois HOAs Know About Special Assessments?

2026-08-06 00:00:00

Illinois HOAs need to know that special assessments are legal tools used to cover unexpected or large expenses beyond what regular dues can handle. They must be approved and issued following specific procedures to avoid legal challenges from homeowners. Getting the process right matters just as much as identifying the need for extra funds. If your association is considering a special assessment in 2026, our Cook County HOA lawyers can help make sure the process is handled correctly from start to finish.

What Is a Special Assessment in an Illinois HOA?

A special assessment is an additional fee charged to homeowners beyond their regular dues. It's typically used to cover costs that the association's reserve funds can't fully absorb. Common reasons for a special assessment include major repairs, unexpected legal expenses, or capital improvements that weren't budgeted for in advance.

What Should Illinois HOA Boards Look for Before Signing a Vendor Contract?

2026-07-18 00:00:00

Illinois HOA boards should look for a few key things before signing a vendor contract in 2026. Vendor agreements often seem routine. This is especially true when a board is hiring a landscaping company or snow removal service the community has used before. But a poorly written contract can leave your association open to unexpected costs, liability, or a vendor relationship that's hard to end. Our Arlington Heights, IL HOA lawyers can review these agreements before you sign. This way, problems are caught on paper instead of after something goes wrong.

Questions To Consider Before Signing a Vendor Contract in 2026

Before you sign anything, it helps to walk through a few key questions, since the answers can reveal risks that aren't obvious from a quick read of the contract.

Does the Contract Clearly Define the Scope of Work?

What Are the Early Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect?

2026-07-04 00:00:00

There are many early physical warning signs of nursing home neglect. Catching these signs early can make a real difference in protecting your loved one from further harm. Families trust nursing homes to provide safe, attentive care, and when that trust is broken, the results can be devastating. If you think your loved one is being neglected in 2026, a Cook County personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options and fight to hold the facility accountable.

What Is Nursing Home Neglect and How Is It Different From Abuse?

Nursing home neglect happens when a facility fails to give a resident the care they need. It is not always on purpose. Neglect can happen because of understaffing, poor training, or a facility that simply cannot meet its residents' needs. But whether it is intentional or not, the harm is real, and the facility can be held legally responsible.

How a Well-Drafted Purchase Agreement Protects Both Buyers and Sellers in Real Estate

2026-06-25 00:00:00

A well-drafted purchase agreement protects both buyers and sellers by clearly spelling out the terms of the deal before anyone is legally locked in. Without a solid agreement in place, both sides face risks that can cost them money, time, and sometimes the entire deal. Whether you are buying or selling a home in 2026, our experienced Arlington Heights real estate lawyer can review or draft a purchase agreement that protects your interests from start to finish.

How Does a Purchase Agreement Protect the Buyer?

For a buyer, the purchase agreement is the main tool for making sure you are not stuck in a deal that does not work for you. A well-drafted agreement includes contingencies, which are conditions that must be met for the sale to move forward. If those conditions are not met, you can back out without losing your deposit.

What Fiduciary Duties Do Illinois HOA and Condo Board Members Owe?

2026-06-10 00:00:00

Illinois HOA and condo board members are generally required to act in the best interest of the association and its members as a whole, rather than using their positions for personal gain. When board members understand and follow these duties, the association runs more smoothly, disputes are less likely, and the board is better protected if its decisions are ever challenged. If you serve on an HOA or condo board in 2026 and want to make sure you are fulfilling your responsibilities correctly, the Cook County HOA lawyers at our firm can help you understand where you stand and how to protect the association.

What Does Fiduciary Duty Mean for HOA Board Members?

A fiduciary duty is a legal responsibility to act in someone else's best interest. When you serve on an HOA or condo board in Illinois, you take on that responsibility toward the association and its members as a whole. You are expected to put the community first and make decisions that are honest, careful, and within the limits of your authority.

What Risks Do Self-Managed Condo Associations Face?

2026-05-26 00:00:00

Running a condo association without a property management company can seem like a great way to save money. And for some communities, it works fine. But self-management also comes with real risks. They can surprise volunteer board members who did not sign up to become legal or financial experts. If you are facing issues with a self-managed association in 2026, talking to an experienced Arlington Heights, IL condominium law attorney should be your first move.

Illinois condo associations are governed by the Illinois Condominium Property Act at 765 ILCS 605. This law sets out specific rules for how associations must be run, how money must be managed, and how unit owners must be treated. Whether an association is professionally managed or self-managed does not change those rules. The board is still responsible for following them, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be serious.

What Happens When a Business Partner Breaches a Contract in Illinois?

2026-05-11 00:00:00

When a business partner breaches a contract in Illinois, you have the right to take legal action to recover what you lost and, in some cases, to end the business relationship entirely. The term "breach of contract" describes a situation when one party fails to do what they agreed to do. Your options depend on the type of breach, the terms of the contract, and how much harm was caused. If your business partner has breached a contract in 2026, our Cook County, IL business law attorneys can help you understand your rights.

What Qualifies as a Breach of Contract in Illinois?

A breach of contract happens when one party to a valid agreement fails to meet their obligations without a legally recognized excuse. In Illinois, to have an enforceable contract, there must be an offer, an acceptance, and something of value exchanged between the parties. That last part is called consideration. If all of those elements are present and one party fails to perform, that is a breach.